As tattoos become increasingly popular, the need to understand the individuals who obtain them rises as well. To do so, many experiments compare already tattooed individuals to those who do not have tattoos; this experiment, however, set out to compare tattooed individuals to their previously nontattooed selves. To do this, individuals received a…

This study examines whether academically accelerated students in a college Honors program are as likely as other students to acquire a tattoo and to spend the same amount of time contemplating this decision. A convenience sample of 71 honors students and 135 non-honors students completed a survey at a small mid-Atlantic liberal arts college in…

Body modifications are becoming mainstream as more individuals are becoming tattooed. Using a convenience sample of college students, participants with and without tattoos were compared on measures of body appreciation, self-esteem, and need for uniqueness. Among these central Texas students 44% had at least one tattoo. Women, compared to men,…

This article examines the perceptions and beliefs of Millennials regarding visible tattoos and the impact of tattoos on potential employment. Despite tattoos becoming more accepted and mainstream in society, studies show that individuals with visible tattoos are often hired at a lower rate than people without visible tattoos. A survey of current…

Previously, in those segments of America where "proper" behavior was valued, tattoos and body piercings were examples of what Goffman identified as "stigma"--they spoiled one's identity. Today, tattoos and piercings have become more mainstream. This study reports the survey of 400 undergraduates at a large southeastern university. Regarding…

This study explores whether college students with tattoos or piercings demonstrate extreme personalities and behaviors. Participants were 46 men and 164 women (mean=20.0 years). Questions assessed participants' attitudes toward tattooing, presence of a tattoo, and participation in risk taking behaviors. Participants completed the Personality…